"Who the hell is Kaiba, Dad?"

Haruna turned to her father, her usually calm gray eyes were now almost like steel as she glared at him menacingly. Her father, Kotaru, laid his head gently in his hands, nursing his new hangover from the previous night. He then pulled himself back up and mumbled "The man who will ruin everything I have built up these past ten years without your mother."

She sighed softly at the mention of her mother. Her eyes gazed back over to the window as a familiar scene started to play through her mind, over and over repeatedly. The screeching tires and loud sirens ringing in her ears; the smell of smoke in her nostrils; the sight of blood every where. The enormous mass of people around her, screaming and pulling her away from the site. Why couldn't she be the one who died? Then she wouldn't have to suffer the rest of her life for it. Why couldn't she be hit instead?

"So... what does this Kaiba want your company so bad?" she said flatly, not seeming to care, though she did at the same time. "It's just a small scale Graphics Company isn't it?"

Kotaru fumed silently for a minute, then sighed and said "Yes...but that's the part I don't understand. Kaiba Corp is a very large company, the most high tech Japan has to offer! But still he seems persistent in trying to over-ride Lily Park."

Haruna caught herself off guard laughing. Lily Park; the name her mother gave the company. It seemed odd, having nothing to do with lilies at all, it just sounded nicer to the ears than Takasugi Graphics. "Not that Takasugi is a bad last name," she would always say, "but I think it's nicer to think about flowers than computer chips and wire."

Lily Park meant sanity to her after she died. To loose the company was loosing his long struggle with keeping himself alive. Bastard Kaiba, she told herself, I don't even know him and already loath him.

She looked to her father again, pulling him up from the coach. Her hand gently ran over his coarse face, outlining his jaw with her finger tips. "Dad...you know what's going to happen, and I know it's going to hurt deep down. But we got to face it, it's the only way to get it over and gone with!"

He looked deeply into her eyes, pleading and sorrowful. It was almost like she had become the adult and he was the lonely child. It was almost as if he wanted to cry into her shoulder, begging her Please don't make me do this! I don't want it all to end yet! But he looked back down to the ground whispering "Will you come with me Hany? I can't face this guy alone...God he frightens me! His eyes are like staring into the pits of hell! Cold as ice I tell you, your mother could deal with a person like him, God knows I never could..."

She bit her bottom lip hesitantly, but nodded signifying she would go with him for support. Quickly she ran upstairs to her closet, trying to decide on the most professional looking outfit. When she soon discovered that most, if not all her clothes had some form of paint or pastel marks on them, she found her only clean clothes were a red, stain halter top and a black mini skirt with fish net stockings. She then ran into the shower, rising off her hair and body as she examined all her old scars.

As soon as she pulled her long auburn hair into a messy and applied make-up, she went back down stairs to her father. She studied him carefully as he finished fixing his tie. His gray pin-stripped suit made him look sophisticated and intelligent almost, the way a company owner should look. But deep down again she remembered that he was Dad, the one person she had in the world and who would always be there for her.

She walked up behind him, pulling him in for a warm embrace which he gladly returned. Unwillingly, she pulled back and looked at him slowly. "Time to go Dad."

The car trip was silent on the way to Lily Park. Haruna could hear the bustling and screeching of the Tokyo city streets. She new at once that they could be beautiful, and at the next moment, unforgiving. You had to know where you were going, what you had to do and who you were with, other wise consider yourself a target sign for cheats and crooks. It was the classic kill or be killed; you had to know no mercy and the color of blood.

Her father stopped the car in front of a lavender-colored building next to the park. It had soft pastel green windows, with white lace curtains in each one. There was a large sign in front above that spelt "Takasugi" in cursive letters, and a water lily flower beside it. This was Lily Park.

As they started to walk inside, the old security manager Odie noticed them. He put down his morning paper and hustled over to them. His eyes were large and sad like a sick dog's behind his soda bottle glasses. His thin wiry, gray hair fell flatly on each side of his face. "Mr.Takasugi," he said in a horsy whisper that made his voice crack, "please say it ain't so! Say that that old ass Kaiba ain't taken Lily Park! You put you're heart and soul into this place, he can't take it!"

"I'm sorry Odie, but there is nothing I can do now! He has the power where I have nothing he would want! So he's taking Lily Park..."

"Aw hell Kotaru! Where's an old man like me suppose to go? Knowing a scrooge like him, I'm a dead man at my age!"

Haruna gently placed her hand on the old man's shoulder and said "Odie, you've been like a grandpa to me since mom passed, you'd be more than welcome to stay with us!"

Her father nodded in agreement with her, smiling at Odie. At that he put a big grin on his face and said "Well, thanks Hany that means a lot to me... But you to better get ready! That wretch is going to be here any minute!"

They said their thanks and goodbyes before going up the stairs. Everywhere they went, they were greeted by concerned and questioning co-workers. They all pleaded and begged Haruna and Kotaru not to let to the company go. Each face they encountered torn a little at Haruna's heart. This place was the only family she ever had; each person was like an aunt or uncle, affectionate and caring. It was impossible to imagine letting this place go to some one who was so cold. Damn that Kaiba!

They finally reached the top board room where the sign-over was supposed to take place. Her body started to shiver immensely; this was the end of the line for her and Dad. He wore the same hindered expression. Haruna saw him attempted a small, dignified smile, but could only imagine the hurt he had on the inside.

"Hany, I want you to stay out side."

She looked at him in deep shock. How could he possibly want to face this monster alone? Besides the fact that he hated being by himself, his whole life was going to be handed over to a stranger.

"But why Dad? I thought you wanted me with you inside?" she asked in a worried tone.

He shook his head and sighed. Then he tried to smile again and spoke in a weak voice. "Because this is my company; I built it, I brought it up, I gave it legs to stand on, and I'm going be the one to let it go." Haruna could see the tired, yet humble look in her father's eyes. She wasn't going to fight with him now.

"Okay Dad. I'll find some thing to do."

He nodded slightly as she headed down the winding hall way to the next business room. It was quiet in here, the perfect place to sit and think. She sighed as she eased down slowly into a large leather chair. Her eyes wandered the room till she seeped her hands into her pocket, pulling out a small, yet strong deck of Duel Monster cards.

They were smooth and cool against the palms of her hands. A smile crept across her face that she didn't try to hide. She worked her way through the deck, studying each card carefully. Everyone had reflected her personality; dark, deadly, mysterious and evil. Soon she had reached her favorite card, the definition of her very self; Black Luster Soldier. She didn't know why but, she always felt connected to this one card, as if she was looking in a mirror of her inner side.

She slid the card back into her deck and began to shuffle through. She sighed again warily staring into the space ahead of her. "Man I wish I had someone to duel..."

"Maybe I can help."

Haruna jolted up in surprise to find the source of the voice. She turned her head towards the door to meet a small ten year old boy. He had long, shaggy dark hair, rich with color and shade. His eyes were a beautiful and flashing, a dark tantalizing violet that shimmered like pale moon light. She couldn't understand why but his mere innocence bewitched him. A soft smile came to her and she asked "Now how did you get here Tiger?"

The boy blushed a little from being called "Tiger". He hopped across the room and came next to her. His smile was as sweet as his face; she couldn't help but think how adorable he was! "My name is Mokuba, and I said I could help you with your problem!"

"How so Tiger?" you said with a smile as wide as his.

Mokuba blushed again and held out a deck. "If you're bored, I can duel you?"

She raised her eyebrow with slight amusement and curiosity. Quietly she held out her hand to ask if she could see his deck. With out hesitation, he placed the deck in her hand as she began to shuffle through. To her surprise, the cards he had were quite rare and indeed, powerful. She couldn't understand how a kid like him could get such cards, when she asked him; he just gave her a sweet smile.

"My brother Seto got them for me! He gets me all the cards I want!"

Haruna nodded in great approval and handed them back to him. "Alright Tiger, I'm game! Let's have ourselves a duel!"

They settle down across from each other and start to draw from their decks. She smiled devilishly as she studied her hand; a trap card, magic card and three monsters, perfect. Her eyes turned up to Mokuba who seemed to be pleased with his drawings as well. The tingling sensation of the moment caught up with her, the pleasure of the duel. So it began.

Almost a half hour passed between the two of them. She felt slightly flustered that she was being given a hard time but a kid with an extravagant deck. He seemed to be enjoying her strain, but decided to create some side conversation. "How old are you?"

She looked up for a moment and grinned lazily. "Sixteen and a half."

"That's almost as old as Seto! He's seventeen though, he's got one more year of high school left, but he always gives his teachers a run for their money!"

She gave a light chuckle; this kid must have worshipped his brother. "Is that a fact? Is he a bad boy?"

He shook his head and replied "No, he's just real smart. He does a lot of computer that even college professors can't figure out. That and he can usually get anything he wants and any girl for that matter..."

Haruna raised her eyebrow in interest again. This Seto character sounded like a modern Bill Gates or something. And he was supposed to be seventeen? Something here didn't add up right, but she couldn't think of what it was.

"You know Tiger...you never told me your last name, or why you're..."

"Mokuba there you are!"

Mokuba seemed shocked as he looked towards the door to the figure behind Haruna's back. Pausing, she turned around to see a tall, serious guy by the likes of which she had never seen. He was very tall and well built to her slight pleasure. He looked vaguely similar to Mokuba, except his hair was a clean-cut and light brown, and his eyes were the most gorgeous sparkling light blue. She felt the air slowly escaped from her lungs as she gazed loftily into his eyes, drowning in their deep depths of pure crystal color.

"Hi Seto!" he yells happily as he runs towards the new comer, wrapping his arms tightly around his legs. Seto seemed to let out a small grunt of discomfort, but he smiled and gently ruffled his little brother's hair. Mokuba then pulled his hand and dragged him over to Haruna. "I just met this pretty girl named Haruna! She's real nice and is a real good duelist Seto! And she's right about your age!"

Seto blushed lightly looking at Haruna. She could feel his eyes travel up and down her body. Remembering exactly what kind of clothes she was wearing at the present moment, she felt naked under his piercing gaze. Her cheeks felt hot and bright red very suddenly.

"I'm sorry if my little brother was bothering you miss...he likes to explore and ask a lot of questions and..."

She quickly dismissed his apologies with her wave. "It's alright! He was very polite and sweet so he wasn't a bother at all! I was lonely anyway so his arrival was perfect timing!"

He laughed in a dark, seductive tone that made her shiver with pleasure. "Now...why would a pretty girl like you be all alone in an old board room? It's no place for a lady..."

Haruna felt her heart sink a little, remembering why she was here in the first place. She averted her eyes away quickly from him, she wanted the tears in her eyes to leave, but they stayed welled up inside of her as she stood there. Then with a deep breathe she said "Because this guy Kaiba is going to ruin my dad's life."

Seto's eyes widen in shock greatly as she spoke. He licked his lips nervously and asked "Now...why would um, he do that?"

"He wants my dad's company...it's his life! Ever since my mom...oh God, why am I bothering you about it?" She hid her face in her hands, ashamed of her embarrassment and tears. A strong arm slide around her shoulder and a pair of arms around her waist in a comforting manner. To her right Seto had his arm around her in and embrace, and below her Mokuba held her tightly at the waist.

"Please don't be upset Haruna! You're too pretty to cry like that! Besides, I know Seto can make it better!"

She felt confused for a moment as he said that. Make it better? How could he possibly make it better for her father? His hand squeezed her shoulder tightly before releasing her. Mokuba looked up to his brother with worry, "You will make it better won't you Seto?"

He turned away from her silently. She studied his fists carefully as they clenched and unclenched in anger. What could he be thinking about that made him so tense? Could he possibly help her? She kept her thoughts silent as she continued to watch him cautiously. "I think I know what I could do for you Haruna...but what are you willing to pay for it?"

She stopped herself short, not totally understanding what exactly he wanted from her. But with a deep breath she looked him dead in the eye. "I would do anything for my father to keep the company he put his heart and soul into!"

He gave a sweet, sexy smirk before turning away from her and heading out the door. "Then leave it to me Haruna."

Before she could even attempt to ask him what he was talking about exactly, he was out and down the hallway. She had to admit he seemed sweet in his attempt to make her feel better, but what could he possibly do for her? But then a wicked thought came to her head, maybe these two were Kaiba's kids! Then they could sweet talk their father into letting go pursuit of Lily Park! It was a crazy idea, but it could be possible.

She turned around to Mokuba, who had his head out into the door way, checking to see if the coast was clear. He then turned back to her and said "Come on Haruna! Let's go see what Seto's going to do!"

He took her hand in his and pulled her quietly down the hall way to the next room. They hushed their voices as they leaned their ears against the door. Haruna couldn't quite make it out at first, but she could hear her father's muffled voice with another's. It was hard to make out, but she soon realized who it was; Seto!

But what is he doing in the board meeting? She thought to herself, And where is Mr.Kaiba? I only hear too people...

As she was thinking, Mokuba tugged on her shirt whispering "Why is your dad screaming Haruna?" She opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted by Kotaru bursting out of the room.

"You are out of your mind Kaiba! I could not in my own good mind accept to those terms! Neither would she!"

"Those are the terms she agreed with Takasugi! That is the only other offer that there is and I suggest you take it!"

"Kaiba?" she whispered softly, "You mean Seto?" She turned towards the room to see Seto, or better know as Kaiba, stepped out of the room. His once warm eyes were now cold and distant as he stared at her. Her emotions over whelmed her as she couldn't understand what was going on except for the fact, that it involved her.

"Dad...what's going on? What the hell kind of terms are you talking about?"

"Haruna, this maniac wants..."

"You said that you would do anything to keep this company alive, didn't you Haruna? Alive and under you're father's control?" Kaiba said in a cold dark voice to match his eyes.

"Yes..." she said in a weak voice, "I did but..."

"Then you would have no problem with any terms I come up with...would you Haruna?"

"For the love of God Haruna! Don't listen to him!" her father cried desperately.

"I said I would and I meant it!"

Kaiba smirked and turned to Kotaru in a serious matter. "Then my terms are this; you can have your company and position. Besides, I don't feel like hiring a new staff. But just remember, I own fifty percent of what ever you get, and I claim one prize..."

"And what prize would that be Kaiba?" he retorted in a equally dark manner.

He smirked again wickedly, his eyes hard and piercing around the room. He lifted his hand slowly, before pointing to Haruna directly. "I claim her! She will come live with me and be an intern to do with as I please!"